WALCOTT - which position is best etc?

[FrenchGun]

Voted no coz I don't see how after all these years how he can still get a footballing brain. However, considering the actual situation, and knowing that if he left, no replacement would be bought (or a last minute one a la Santos), I'd rather keep him for a little longer. It's Feo or nothing!

[the moog]

Who would we get in that is better in the space of 2 and a bit days? If he was to be sold it should have been done at start of the summer so a better replacement could be brought in. If Theo does leave Yossi will be brought in as a stop gap.

scott sinclair

[Gunnersaurus]

I am not sure exactly what deal has happened?

The papers say that Walcott and Wenger have a verbal agreement to continue negotiating because Walcott wants to stay, but not that a year's extension has been signed or even offered.

Difficult to actually decipher what's happened behind all the smoke and mirrors. Presumable Wally has fed Wenger what he wants to hear about commitment to the club and his project and that he will endeavour to reach a reasonable agreement with the club. In reality it suits him to let his contract to run down, more likely to pressure the board into offering an improved contract and bizarrely he won't be short of suitors willing to throw him big bucks next summer, particularly if there's no transfer fee involved. As far as I can see no agreement has been reached other than Walcott's word he does want to stay (despite not wanting to sign the contract on offer).

How the dick has the audacity to turn down £75k/w for 5 years is beyond me, I would feel ashamed earning that in a year if I was him! 45 minutes against Spurs isn't worth £5m over a season.

As frustrating as Theo is as a player as a person he doesn't come across as one of those that will bang on about lack of ambition, I seriously think he's had enough of not playing as a striker and he's not signing because he doesn't want to spend another 5 years being shit in a position he doesn't want to play.

He doesn't seem arrogant, he seems like a plesant bloke but he must be thinking enough is enough, sign for 5 years and play on the wing and his career is going one way, he probably wants a commitment that he's gonna play as a striker as it seems very relaxed on the clubs part that he's not signing and there is no desire to sell.

It's only a guess but I think him and Wenger have spoken, he's asked for an opportunity to play upfront, if he does and does well then he will sign what the club is offering, if not then he will walk, to me that explains why both would be happy to let this go unsigned.

Wenger hasn't developed him one bit, he hasn't improved and he must know that 5 more years of this and he's yesterdays news, we need another striker, he's clearly not going to buy anyone that costs a lot of money, this is a quick fix for the club and gives Walcott what he wants.

There's no other explination for it, Walcott knows the grass aint gonna be greener for him anywhere else.

[augie]

Story in the papers this morning, and I know that the papers and truth do not always go hand in hand, state that walnut told the club that he would not go to another club unless it suited them and one of the conditions of him staying was that he be played in a central role - now I have never hidden the fact that I dont rate him but forgetting that for a minute, should any player have the right to dictate where he is played ? What does it say about a manager if he allows a player to dictate to him ? What would happen if all the players wanted to change where they play ? I feel that wally has shown that his conversion rate for goal chances is not good enough and he is not a natural goal poacher that will anticipate in the penalty area. By all accounts the scousers are going to try and push geordie carroll out the door to fund a move for feo (and dempsey) but if he is allowed to stay under this tentitive verbal agreement then my level of anger towards this regime will hit a new level and coming from me that is saying something

[Gunnersaurus]

Story in the papers this morning, and I know that the papers and truth do not always go hand in hand, state that walnut told the club that he would not go to another club unless it suited them and one of the conditions of him staying was that he be played in a central role - now I have never hidden the fact that I dont rate him but forgetting that for a minute, should any player have the right to dictate where he is played ? What does it say about a manager if he allows a player to dictate to him ? What would happen if all the players wanted to change where they play ? I feel that wally has shown that his conversion rate for goal chances is not good enough and he is not a natural goal poacher that will anticipate in the penalty area. By all accounts the scousers are going to try and push geordie carroll out the door to fund a move for feo (and dempsey) but if he is allowed to stay under this tentitive verbal agreement then my level of anger towards this regime will hit a new level and coming from me that is saying something

In this situation I say yes, he signed as a striker, Wenger has tried to make him a winger which he's clearly not and his contract is about to come to an end, if it was me I would want to know that this nonsense was going to stop, if it was clear that it wasn't I would thank the club and then go somewhere that wants me for me.

Why would you sign up for another 5 years if you clearly are unhappy at how you are playing?

I definately don't believe it is money motivated, he's still young enough to get that mega contract down the road.

[augie]

I aint disagreeing with wally's right to ask for a change of position but I do feel that bowing to that pressure by any manager is a ridiculous thing to do

[DB10GOONER]

Quite bizarre (if you believe even HALF the shit in the media about this "deal").

I’m a bit “meh” where Theo is concerned. He obviously has some degree of talent, but he has no consistency at all. He would probably look amazing in The Championship but all too often he looks quite average in the PL. But there seems to be this thing with us Gooners that we are almost afraid that if we let him go he will suddenly fulfill all the "potential" everyone has gone on about for the last 5 years. Maybe he will, maybe he won't. My feeling is he won't, and for the very reason most people like him - he's too nice.

Apart from his talent (or lack thereof!) the thing that gets me down about him is his attitude on and off the pitch. He is everybody’s friend, he never wants to offend anyone or upset anyone. He lacks grit. He never seems to get fucking stuck in. The great players all have a bit of grit in them, a bit of nastiness when it's needed. Theo is just a nice guy.

I also always felt that he is not a real "Arsenal man", that the club don’t mean that much to him and he’s afraid to offend anyone outside the club that might become a prospective future employer.

Yeah, I know this is the case with a lot of (most) modern selfish mercenary bastard footballers but it is particularly evident in Theo... to me anyway.

If he leaves it won't have that much impact on our season either way tbh - he just doesn't contribute enough.

[Gunnersaurus]

I aint disagreeing with wally's right to ask for a change of position but I do feel that bowing to that pressure by any manager is a ridiculous thing to do

Theo is a bright lad, I'm sure he's seen the square peg in round hole situation put many a player at the club backwards, Wenger deserves it and if he wants him to stay then it's him who has to back down.

The club have put Theo in this position of power which is a scandal in itself.

[donaldo]

I hope Walnutt goes for free next summer and makes Wenger look a bigger fool than he is now.This is rank bad management by Wenger

[Bendtners Drinking Buddy]

I hope Walnutt goes for free next summer and makes Wenger look a bigger fool than he is now.This is rank bad management by Wenger

Why??

Walcott has been offered far more than he is worthy financially.
Why isnt Walcott played up front? Because he cant control a football - he would not cause any defence any problems because they know he hasnt got the brain to beat anyone regularly. Wenger turned Henry into a striker, if Walcott showed the same traits it would have been tried im sure - it hasnt been because Walcott does not have the ability to play up front, or anywhere in an Arsenal team for that matter.

Id rather he just pissed off now, maybe Wenger knows he cannot get a replacement in, maybe Walcott actually wants to stay.....cant point the finger in the cases of Cesc, RVP, Song - in this case i fully support the attitude of the club - sign or get out.

We overpay too many players - its about time the club changed their stance and im glad they are starting with this idiot.

[BournemouthRED]

If he stays I hope he earns a new contract, but he will have to earn it!

[Red Member]

great news if he stays - won't believe it until after deadline day.

it looks like he didnt want to leave anyway
Theo = Arsenal Legend in the making

[donaldo]

I hope Walnutt goes for free next summer and makes Wenger look a bigger fool than he is now.This is rank bad management by Wenger

Why??

Walcott has been offered far more than he is worthy financially.
Why isnt Walcott played up front? Because he cant control a football - he would not cause any defence any problems because they know he hasnt got the brain to beat anyone regularly. Wenger turned Henry into a striker, if Walcott showed the same traits it would have been tried im sure - it hasnt been because Walcott does not have the ability to play up front, or anywhere in an Arsenal team for that matter.

Id rather he just pissed off now, maybe Wenger knows he cannot get a replacement in, maybe Walcott actually wants to stay.....cant point the finger in the cases of Cesc, RVP, Song - in this case i fully support the attitude of the club - sign or get out.

We overpay too many players - its about time the club changed their stance and im glad they are starting with this idiot.

But BDB the attitude of the club is not sign or get out.Its not sign and stay at the club.We are burning £12m.I want Walcott out now.All Wenger had to say to him was he wasnt part of his plans and wouldnt be playing.But Wenger didnt.So we are stuck with him

[Vinny1967]

Was in two minds about this to be honest but have voted Yes I would like him to stay.
I think he is a real confidence type player and he will improve as he matures. He also gives us the option up front with his speed which we don't really have with Giroud and Pod. He is a fantastic option from the bench in big games where the opp are actually trying to win the match. I think there is more to come from him.

[QuartzGooner]

No way can a player dictate to the manager where he will play, do not believe that for a second it happened.

But I do think Walcott can ask to play up front, and has every right to do so.
In the same way that senior players have a duty to tell the boss if they feel a certain strategy or tactic is not working.